Calling him "a man who truly made a difference in the life of a nation," Commonwealth Bank executives honoured late Bank Chairman T.B. Donaldson, C.B.E., with a donation of $10,000 to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas. Mr. Donaldson passed away in February after a courageous battle with cancer. He had served as Commonwealth Bank Chairman for 12 years from 1998 to 2010, helping to grow the bank into a billion-dollar plus financial institution while maintaining numerous civic roles, including chairmanship of The College of The Bahamas.

"We are so grateful to Commonwealth Bank for such a generous contribution," said Lovern Wildgoose, President of the Cancer Society. "The Cancer Society is a non-profit organisation so we are grateful for any funds donated, but this was a great boost for us."

Chief Pilot and Aviation Specialist for The Islands Of The Bahamas, Mr. Greg Rolle, on Sunday completed his two year term as the Chairman of the International Federal Partnership at the EAA AirVenture Show, Oshkosh, WI. Lt. Col USAF of Volk Field, Dave Tessmer, takes over as the new IFP chief.

The International Federal Partnership is made up of a group of Federal Partners from the U.S., Canada and The Bahamas. The group exhibit together annually at EAA AirVenture, the largest conclave of aviation executives and enthusiasts in the world.

I have read the Attorney-General's press release about the criminal charges brought against me. She makes clear the charges, which I believe are entirely, obviously and transparently manufactured and bogus, were brought by the Police without reference to her and without legal advice from her office.

The Attorney General has stated: "As a lawyer, especially as a Queen's Counsel, Mr. Frederick Smith QC is aware, or ought to be aware, that on a daily basis the Police bring prosecutions in the Magistrates' Courts, without reference to the Attorney General and without seeking the advice of the Attorney General. This authority is derived from the laws of The Bahamas, namely the Police Act.

Forty-four students from various public schools in New Providence got an opportunity of a lifetime when they were selected to participate in two pilot EduKarting Camps held at the Doris Johnson Senior High School, Prince Charles Drive. The students were divided into two camps; fifteen in the first held July 19 - 26 and fourteen in the second, July 29 - August 2.

During their respective camps they were directly involved in disassembling carts and reassembling them; using various tools for repairs; changing tires'; mechanical design; engineering; management; team building; merchandising; proposal creations and learning how the business of carting can enhance the local economy.

Some called it a year of challenges. Dana Pinder called it a year of opportunities. Winner of the MCR President's Award, the go-getter from Mario Carey Realty said it was all about recognizing that dreams of home ownership don't fade, they just take more dedication to transform to reality when times are tough. "It's all about the do's and don'ts," she said. "The do is do believe that you can make it work. The don't is don't even think for a second that you won't succeed."

Pinder's positive attitude combined with her concentration on high end properties, including The Reef on Paradise Island where she sold 15 condominiums ranging in price from $695,000 to nearly $7 million, catapulted her to top performer in the growing real estate firm that added nine staff members in 2013.

Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred Mitchell said, on August 5, 2013, at the Emancipation Day Ecumenical and Opening Service, that all persons in the generation of leaders have a special task to build up the common life, to protect the public peace, to raise the children in the nurture and the fear of the Lord, to enhance the public welfare and the welfare of The Bahamas.

"It is a lot that falls to every generation," Minister Mitchell said at the event on the Fox Hill Parade, Fox Hill. "Each generation must try to leave things better than when they met it."

Commonwealth Bank officially signed contracts with architects, engineers and contractors today for the renovation and expansion of its Oakes Field branch in a brief ceremony that one participant called a 'welcome micro-boost for the local economy."

"We are very pleased to announce this morning that all the key contractors are in place and work has commenced on our Oakes Field branch," said Commonwealth Bank President Ian A. Jennings. The $2.1 million in contracts includes approximately $500,000 in repairs following a fire that an eyewitness reported broke out after the building was struck by lightning with flames leaping through the roof in the midst of an historic rain storm the night of May 21. No one was injured in the blaze.

August may be the dog days of summer but at the Humane Society of Grand Bahama this week it's all about the cats! Thanks to summer volunteer Delfina Altamuro's wonderful photos, we present a small sampling of our amazing Royal Bahamian Potcats. They are healthy and happy and only lacking a place to call home.

For those with busy schedules, cats can be the purr-fect pet. They don't require as much attention as dogs do, and as a big bonus, they come already house trained. All our cats are litter trained. All they require from you is to keep their litter box in a quiet private area, and to keep it clean for them.

Throughout August, all adoptions of cats over six months old will be reduced by 50% - for only $25 you can take your new best friend home! Please come visit our cattery at our shelter - the bright yellow building at the top of Coral Road just before GB Highway.

Even though it is summer and schools are closed, the message of keeping Grand Bahama Island clean is still being expressed to the children in an effort to get the next generation on the bandwagon. Members of the Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee have been visiting summer camps and taking along puppets to help to tell the message.

Also on the board is Cheryl Wood of Presto Recycling who is a part of the Committee and goes along on the field trips to talk with the children about recycling on a whole and how best to recycle most things.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) and Grand Bahama Development Company (DEVCO) joined in another collaborative promotional effort with key government officials at the 17th annual National Association of Black Hotel Owners Operators and Developers (NABHOOD). Held in Miami, Florida, NABHOOD seeks to highlight investment opportunities and to increase the number of African-Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels.

GBPA and DEVCO exhibited at the event where Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie was a featured speaker.

Immediate clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord after birth is routine in most delivery rooms. This practice of immediately separating the newborn from his mother and removing him to an artificially heated environment is now questioned because of new research findings. Evidence-based practice, that which is based upon current research outcomes, suggests that both of these interventions are harmful because they handicap a newborn's transition to his extrauterine existance.

Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord (waiting until the cord has stopped pulsating, an indication that placenta-to-baby transfer of blood is complete) is as nature would have it for many reasons. During pregnancy, because the fetal lungs are not the organ of oxygen exchange and the placenta is, most fetal blood bypasses the lungs. This way the placentally-oxygenated blood wastes no time in a relatively inert space accomplishing little. However, after birth, with many more feet of blood vessels to perfuse (oxygenate), the baby will need more blood to fill those vessels to oxygenate him adequately.

Management at the historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina continues to report a healthy 2013 with a 12% "high season" increase over 2012 based on room occupancy and food and beverage earnings. "We are doing well," said General Manager Michael Weber, "especially our restaurant which is doing tremendous business."

Weber said typically growth is minimal during high season months, and the 12% is a significant number. For the first quarter "offseason" months, Weber said the Big Game Club Resort & Marina achieved a 30% percent increase, which he credited to fishing tournaments and a major uptick in family oriented business. Family business is up by 60-plus percent over last year.

The Schooner Bay E-Class Invitational was held at Schooner Bay on August 3rd, followed by the Sands Man in the Boat Sculling Races. In first place in the E-Class sailing event was Charles Kelly and Milina Sweeting, sailing in the Sands Light Yacht.

The Sands Man in the Boat Sculling Race was won by Mr. Albert Russell of Schooner Bay in the Strong Back Yacht, while the Junior Boys was won by Brandon Sands, and the Junior Girls was won by Rachel Sands. His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, GCMG, Governor General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Lady Foulkes were Honourary Regatta Commodores.

A fleet of 22 boats pulled into Sandals' Marina at Emerald Bay last Tuesday to a rousing reception held in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT). The flotilla's stop in Exuma was part of a 12-day tour of the Bahamas arranged by Patrick Galipeau of InterMarine in Miami.

Mr. Galipeau said he began these "escapades" after he realized many boat owners were nervous about making the crossing from Florida to the Bahamas alone. He said many of his customers have been interested in sailing to the Bahamas, but did not want to make the journey by themselves.

Incorporating dance moves into The College of The Bahamas Concert Choir performances is vital to the overall success of their presentation, and after an intense dance workshop with a New York based Bahamian dancer they are now sure to have the right moves.

Mr. Kelvin Cooper, who works with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the New York City Ballet, conducted a three-day movement and dance workshop at The College's Wellness Centre in July. He taught key elements of performance, which included, good posture, eye contact technique and stage presence to members of the choir while emphasizing the importance of discipline, creativity, collaboration and interaction among singers.

A gift from Custom Computers Ltd. provided four aspiring musicians with scholarships to attend the Ivory Global Management (IGM) Ltd. Summer Music Camp and Mentoring Programme held at St. Anne's School, Fox Hill Road, recently.

Founded by Roscoe Dames, Managing Director of IGM Ltd., the camp exposed participants to the concepts of songwriting, studio recording, mastering and mixing audio tracks, and playing various musical instruments - including the flute, clarinet, double bass, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and piccolo.

The results are in, and it's official. The New Grand Bahama Road Cycling Champion is Chad Albury! In a race filled with vicious attacks, rain showers and strategic alliances there was no shortage of excitement.

A record field of participants turned out for the 7th edition of the Grand Bahama Road Cycling Championships on Monday, August 5th. With groups from Nassau and Freeport battling it out, the competition was fierce and gave the spectators much to cheer about.

The Grand Bahama Shipyard held their first Volleyball Tournament at the Junkanoo Beach Club on Taino Beach, which was attended by over 200 people. The all day event included volleyball, live music, steak-out and a fundraiser raffle.

Jecholiah Barnett, founder of the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBSL) volleyball team and Andrew Kemp, GBSL volleyball team captain, initially organised the event for a small group of friends and supporters to raise funds for the Grand Bahama Shipyard volleyball team's fees and equipment. However, word and interest spread though the yard and the Grand Bahama community and a decision was made to include the GB Volleyball Association.

Bahamas Speed Week Revival 2013 are delighted that five times Le Mans winner has agreed to be our 2013 Patron. British born Derek was extremely successful in sports car racing, not only winning The Le Mans 24 Hour Endurance Race five times but also the Daytona 24 Hour Race three times and the World Sportscar Championship twice. He also raced in Formula One for Ferrari, McLaren, Surtees and Tecno and has been described by fellow racer Hans-Joachim Stuck as one of the most liked drivers of his generation.

A staunch supporter since the Revival's inception, this will be Derek's third visit to Speed Week his first in the capacity of Patron. The always approachable, forever smiling Derek will undoubtedly be as much of a hit with our Entrants as they and their cars are with him.

With all this current stem cell talk, Bahamians need to know that stem cell treatments for most health conditions are still in both the research and clinical trials phase in the United States and Europe and haven't received approval from the following two major agencies in the US and UK - the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) and the EMA (European Medicines Agency based in the UK).

This means most stem cell treatments people claim may have miraculous effects are not approved or accepted yet by the medical community. So we need to stop using this term "medical tourism" as it relates to The Bahamas - thus giving foreigners the impression that they can travel to The Bahamas to get what they cannot get back home.